Immigration Update

Immigration News and Analysis
for Clients and Friends of Borene Law Firm


February 2021

Last Chance for New H-1B Work Visas for 2021 Quota - Start Preparing H-1 Lottery Registrations before March 9, 2021


The H-1B work visa is the most commonly used work visa for newly hired professionals. Last year, more than 200,000 applicants registered for only 85,000 available new H-1 Lottery sponsorships. Employers who want Borene Law Firm's help with 2021 H-1 work visa lottery projects should call Penny Van Kampen at Borene Law Firm 612.321.0082 or send an email to pvankampen@borene.com before March 9, 2020.

After the 2021 H-1B quota is reached, there will be no new cap-subject H-1B work sponsorships available until October 1, 2022.

 H-1B eligibility requirements include a Bachelor's degree or higher and a qualified U.S. job offer. The window for H-1B registration opens on March 9, 2021. We advise preparing H-1 Lottery applications now to meet the registration deadline. For FAQ's about H-1 Work Visas, click here.


Read from Borene Law Firm, FAQ's about H-1 Work Visas
Prospects for Fast Action by Congress on Biden-Proposed Major Immigration Reform Bill are Slowing Down. Democrats Considering Less Comprehensive Immigration Law Changes That Have Bipartisan Support such as DACA Relief for Undocumented Migrants who Entered the U.S. as Children

The major immigration bill, "The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021," proposed by President Biden on the day of his inauguration, faces a difficult road in the evenly divided 50-50 U.S. Senate. The bill needs to get votes from at least ten Republican Senators to become law. If parts of the big bill were presented as separate bills, the chance of getting 60 votes on some of the separate bills is considerably more likely.



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U.S. Department of Labor Reports Top Occupations and Top Industries for Professional and Skilled Worker Employment Sponsorship Through December 31, 2020 - IT, Engineering, and Healthcare Occupations Lead the Way

The U.S. Department of Labor issued a report of the top occupations and top employers using the H-1 temporary professional level visa program and the permanent employer-sponsored green card program for the fourth-quarter of 2020. The top occupations included Software Developers, Electronics and Electrical Engineers, Computer Systems Analysts, Registered Nurses, Physicians, and Medical Researchers. The top industries included Professional, Scientific and Technical Employers, Manufacturers, Finance Employers, and IT and Information Services Employers.



Tip of the Month

U.S. Eases Visa Restrictions for Some Travelers from European Countries, Including Business Visitors, International Students and Scholars, Academics, and Journalists

On February 10, 2021 the U.S. Department of State announced new National Interest Exceptions for
B-1 business visitors, F-1, M-1 and J-1 students and scholars, academics, and E-Treaty Traders and Investors from certain countries in Europe including the UK, Ireland, and the Schengen area.




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For the latest Official Processing Times from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for Visa Petitions and Immigration Applications

For the latest information from the U.S. Department of State on Immigrant Visa “Green Card” Quota Backlog (Priority) Dates

Borene Law Firm In the News
Borene Law Firm rated "AV Preeminent" in 2021 - "the highest possible Peer Review Rating in legal ability and ethical standards" for the 27th consecutive year from "the gold standard in attorney ratings" - The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, All Editions, 1994 - present.



Scott Borene recognized by other lawyers as 2020 Immigration Lawyer of the Year in Minnesota as noted by

Jeanne Kildow was an expert speaker on "Employment-Based Immigration Preference Categories"
at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Annual Conference

George Maxwell was an expert speaker on the topic of "Recent Trends in Employment Based Immigration" in a program sponsored by the
Copyright Borene Law Firm, P. A., 2021
 Immigration Update is a publication of:
Borene Law Firm
U.S. & Global Immigration
3950 IDS Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
United States of America
Phone: 612.321.0082
The information in this Immigration Update should not be considered specific legal advice; it is intended for informational purposes only. Anyone seeking specific legal advice should contact an appropriately experienced lawyer for a confidential, personalized consultation.